Discovering you have lung cancer

[JeanE41]

I am amazed at how many of us had our lung cancer discovered accidentally. So many of the posts mention this and many of us in the active senior community where I live have experienced this. It's too bad there isn't a non invasive screening process that could be administered as part of a routine screening during physical exams.

[imina]

That is so true. My mom's was discovered in ER and she died within 3 weeks. I think her PC could have done a simple chest scan especially with her copd, her heavy smoking, age and cough. It could and should have been diagnosed much sooner

[JeanE41 in reply to imina]

Thank you for your reply. I'm so sorry you lost your mom.

Jean

[Enjoyabull]

They discovered mine after I insisted that one of the glands on my neck felt unusual. I had no other symptoms. I was diagnosed stage 4 Jan 2016. No coughing, no chest pain, no problem breathing. I was sent for a chest xray and ct scan. It was in my lungs, my hip, pelvic bones and my chest and neck lymph nodes. I am diligent about physicals and go every year, I am still baffled that this wasn't discovered years ago and I wouldn't have become so sick. I go for mamo and colonoscopy too! I had surgery the previous year before diagnosis. It is crazy to me that it stayed so quiet and was undiagnosed.

[JeanE41 in reply to Enjoyabull]

It's amazing that you had no symptoms. I'm so glad you persisted in having that node checked out. Sometimes we have to be very persistent to get the medical care we need. Hang in there. We're pulling for you.

[Enjoyabull in reply to JeanE41]

Thank you!

[Rhubarb43]

Mine was found accidentally. I had a blood circulation problem and my big toe o n my right ft was turning black. The dr. Was taking care of that. When I woke up from that surgery I was told that I had lung cancer. Quite a shock.

[JeanE41 in reply to Rhubarb43]

What a shock. From your toe to lung cancer. What test was done to determine you have lung cancer and what treatment is advised?

[Rhubarb43 in reply to JeanE41]

The blood work that they did right before my surgery had several abnormal readings only they did not tell me then. They did a chest x-ray after they saw the blood work up. The surgeon thought he could get it all. The lymph nodes were clear. So I had another surgery, but he was unable to get it all. I chose not to do chemo but I did do radiation. This was 13 months ago, so it is wait and see. I am 74 so I wanted to live out the rest of my life pain free. I am doing good.

[JeanE41 in reply to Rhubarb43]

I am now 75, but was 73 when I had my surgeries. I had one node involved and also declined chemo. In my situation I felt the risks outweighed potential benefits. I would also like to live out my time pain free. Am watching a very small growth in my lung. My oncologist says he is not concerned, but of course I am. So we play the waiting game. Feel pretty good, watching my diet, exercising as I can and hoping for the best.

[Enjoyabull in reply to Rhubarb43]

Wonderful that you are doing well!

[Spainy]

An MRI was ordered to look at my left shoulder to find what was causing pain and another one for my brachial plexus (upper of both shoulders). The lesion was seen from this MRI in my upper right lung! What a surprise! Then my upper right lobe was removed, found it early. From this experience I've learned that everyone should get a low dose CT chest scan, probably by 55. Our hospital will do them for around $125 and it includes a consult with a pulmonologist to review right after the scan. I encourage friends and family to get one, if only they would listen.

[JeanE41 in reply to Spainy]

A low dose C T scan for $125.00 sounds like a bargain. Where do you live? I'm not aware of anything like that here in south central Wisconsin. I'm so glad they found your cancer early.

Jean

[Spainy in reply to JeanE41]

Jean, I'm in Florida. All my doctors, surgeon, amazing Pulmonologist, scans are done at University of Florida, "UF Health" in north Florida. It is an amazing state teaching hospital. Thanks for your good thoughts and to all here. Im sending my healing faith to all.

[mariel143 in reply to Spainy]

i found out i had nsclc at 72 yrs old oncologist said it was inoperable,but then i went to this wonderful surgeon who operated on me and got it all thank the Lord for giving this dr the knowledge about lung cancer didnt need chemo or radiation after thats another thing im thankful for i was laid up 1 month after surgery but can get around now just have to do it a little slower but im alive have ct scans every 4 months have a nodule on left lung keeping an eye on it a little nerve pain from surgery otherwise just fine thank u LORD

[JeanE41 in reply to mariel143]

So happy you were able to have the surgery. It's a long recovery, but well worth it. I'm a year and a half from surgery and doing well. Of course, some days are better than others, but I got to meet my great grandson and see my grandson graduate from high school. I have less stamina than before, but get to do most of the things I want. Taking it one day at a time.

Jean

[JeanE41]

My lung cancer was discovered on a chest cat scan done prior to starting radiation after a lumpectomy for breast cancer. The radiation therapy was never done and everything was directed to the lung cancer. No symptoms except weight loss that I attributed to the breast cancer surgery. My oncologist was shocked as was I. Lung cancer is very sneaky. I hope that better screening will be routine in the future. Fortunately, I was able to have surgery and only one node was involved.

[stutheit]

Mine was found by accident I got in a quad accident and had a compound fracture of my back they did a CAT scan and found that I had lung cancer but luckily they caught it early

[JeanE41 in reply to stutheit]

Glad they found your cancer early. Two friends here at the active senior community where I live found out about their cancer after auto accidents. I guess it's fortunate they had the accidents.

[stutheit in reply to JeanE41]

Yes my quad accident was very strange no Rhyme or Reason why I fell off except I feel God lifted me up and drop me down so I could find the cancer but it has been a battle I've had a wedge reduction on my right lung CyberKnife on my left lung now they found more tumors on my right lung and also on my sternum and my pelvic bone I start chemo but I am thankful they caught it early

[imina]

This really scares me. I had an adnormal chest ct scan with suspicious nodules. They suggested a follow up ct scan year later and stated the suspicious nodule is no longer a problem. Just wondering what if any opinions as to what I should do. I'm a non smoker but I don't know if that matters. In the first ct scan report they used the word could be lung cancer

[JeanE41 in reply to imina]

I'm following a slowly growing small mass in what's left of the same lung as had the cancer. It is growing very slowly,but it's too small to biopsy so we watch and wait. Yes, it is scary, but I decided to eat a healthy diet, exercise depending on how I feel and do those things that I enjoy. I also try to live in the present and let the future take care of itself. It's hard, but possible. Meanwhile I follow up with my oncologist on the schedule he recommends. Of course, if something new or unusual comes up, I'll be back on his doorstep. I am also a non smoker and have no idea why I developed lung cancer. You can always request a second opinion. It's always good to have another opinion.

Hope this is helpful.

Jean

[Jenniferroseolson in reply to imina]

I am a 46 year old never smoker with Stage 4 lung cancer. Nearly 20 percent (some say 17, 18) of lc patients never smoked and lc is on the rise especially in women. Get a second opinion. Be your own advocate. I don't mean to frighten you but want you to listen to that little voice in your head--you can't put a price on peace of mind. Read my story and other great resources at Free to Breathe website. Call their helpline. Best wishes to you!

Jennifer Olson

[spiro3082]

I had my gall bladder removed . The surgeon found a small mass on it and send it to the lab , it was melanoma . The cancer center send me for all tests . Its in my lungs , five small nodules . Starting Optivo treatments tomorrow

[JeanE41 in reply to spiro3082]

It sounds as though you have a good plan of action. I'll be interested to hear how it goes.

[spiro3082 in reply to JeanE41]

thank you Jean..all I can do is hope for the best , its in Gods hands for the most part..i am also adding hemp oil to the treatment to try and control the side affects..the Dr said it cant hurt and I have read research has been done with hemp oil on cancer . I'll keep in touch

[JeanE41 in reply to spiro3082]

I'll be very interested in how it works for you.

[scifiknitter Blogger]

Jean,

Yes, lung cancer is sneaky and subtle. I had a little cough at night for a year or so before diagnosis, but I thought it was allergies to the old cat who had taken up sleeping between my husband's and my pillows every night.

The only screening technique available right now is low dose CT, but it is only available for people who are 55 or older, a 30 pack year smoking history, and who are current smokers or ex-smokers who quit smoking no more than 15 years prior. The test is effective, but has a very high rate of false positives, so it would cause a lot of excess procedures if not restricted to the most high-risk group. I would never have been eligible.

Here's hoping a blood test or something similar is developed so that people can be more easily and inexpensively screened!

Anita

[JeanE41 in reply to scifiknitter]

We can only hope for an inexpensive screening tool for lung cancer.

[Angels0128]

I can thank my family physician he asked if I would consider having a scan done that my insurance would not pay. I asked him if he really thought I needed one I would. His reason was I am 61 and have been a smoker for 40 years and my mother died of lung cancer. I had the scan and it came back showing a tumor on my right lung. I was a candidate for a lobectomy but then they discovered cancer in my limp nodes during my lobectomy. I now am doing chemo. I am thankful for my physician being proactive.

[JeanE41 in reply to Angels0128]

You are truly fortunate to have a proactive family practice physician. He probably saved your life as did you by being willing to pay for the scan. I hope your continuing treatment goes smoothly. Here's to a successful outcome. Keep me posted with your progress.

[Angels0128]

Hello Jean yes very thankful I still have five chemo treatments to do and pray I will be done. I agree so many lives might be saved if there was a inexpensive test so it could be detected early enough I was blessed to be able to afford the scan but so many out there doesn't get tested because of the cost. May God keeping blessing you.

Diana

[MFH_Advocate]

Thank you JeanE41 And thank you to all who posted about their experiences. Earlier this month, a study showed that few people who are at risk are being screened for lung cancer. cancer.org/latest-news/lung... That's why awareness about lung cancer is so important! We also hope that some of the new, noninvasive ways to test for lung cancer that being studied will be able to help find lung cancers earlier.

[Spainy in reply to MFH_Advocate]

Hi Mary, would you please fill us in on "some of the new, noninvasive ways to test for lung cancer being studied"? Or, where we can read more about them?

[MFH_Advocate in reply to Spainy]

Hi Spainy I will try to find a good review article on the different screening tests being studied. A number of different companies are looking at blood tests, saliva, and even breathalyzers as ways to screen for lung cancer.

[MFH_Advocate in reply to MFH_Advocate]

Here is one article on a breathalyzer screening techniques, but please keep in mind that right now only x-rays or CT scan are used to screen for lung cancer. Any new ways to screen for cancer need to be tested thoroughly to see what really works and to learn about any drawbacks as well as advantages.

Breathalyzer - oncologynurseadvisor.com/da...

Quite a few articles on blood tests are available as well and I will try to sort through those as well.

[MFH_Advocate in reply to MFH_Advocate]

And here is an interesting post about using a nasal swab to help screen for lung cancer: medicalnewstoday.com/articl...

Tests such as this are still very experimental, but it's good to know that research is underway.

[MFH_Advocate in reply to MFH_Advocate]

Just today, there was another news story about a blood test to help detect lung cancer. Although this test is still being studied, the hope is that a valid blood test could help find lung cancer early. reuters.com/article/us-onco...

And one more story from a few days ago: host.madison.com/wsj/busine...

[Spainy]

Ladies, I want to mention to also be diligent about your mammograms. I can't even keep count of all the chest X-rays and CT scans and PET scan I've had in almost 2 years. My Pulmonologist warned me about it. It's a lot of radiation we are being exposed to but we must to keep an eye on our bodies.

[Jenniferroseolson]

We desperately need our government National Institutes of Health and philanthropy to commit research funding to develop better screening for lung cancer. The dramatic increase in life expectancy rates for breast cancer owes gratitude (partly or largely) to the accessibility, reliability, of the mammogram. Lung cancer takes more lives than breast, colon, and prostate combined! Imagine the lives that could be saved if we could screen and find more lung cancer in early stage!

[FtB_Peggy]

Jennifer,

Can you hear me applauding? Yes!